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THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
36 |
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TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE RESOLUTION
requesting the hawaii tourism authority to encourage the use of the name "Mokoli'i Islet" and discourage the use of its popular name "Chinaman's Hat".
WHEREAS, one of the most popular attractions and landmarks for tourists and residents alike is Mokoli'i Islet, which lies off Kualoa Regional Park in Kaneohe; and
WHEREAS, despite its popularity, few people would recognize the name Mokoli'i because the offshore islet is known – and promoted in countless published, website, and other descriptions – as Chinaman's Hat; and
WHEREAS, the islet has long been nicknamed Chinaman's Hat simply because of its shape, which resembles an old-style Chinese laborer's hat; and
WHEREAS, the name Mokoli'i, on the other hand, comes from part of the Pele legend: After Pele traveled across the Islands and finally made her home on the Island of Hawaii, she still wandered in her dreams as a spirit. During one of these travels, she found a handsome prince, Lohi'au, on Kaua'i and wanted to meet him. She asked each of her sisters to go to Kaua'i and bring him back, but they refused, foreseeing the dangers of the trip. Finally the youngest of the girls, Hi'iaka, agreed. On O'ahu, as Hi'iaka followed the trail on the shore of Kane'ohe Bay, she was confronted by a mo'o, a large dragon-like creature. Using her supernatural power, Hi'iaka killed the mo'o, cut off his tail, and threw it into the ocean, where it became an island called Mokoli'i, or "little dragon"; and
WHEREAS, in addition to no historical or cultural reason for the name Chinaman's Hat, the name is also offensive to many people of Chinese ancestry, who perceive it as insulting and preserving stereotypes; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Hawaii Tourism Authority is requested to encourage the use of the proper name of this popular destination – Mokoli'i Islet and discourage the use and publication of the name "Chinaman's Hat"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Chinaman's Hat